ME Viewfinder Cap (K10D)

Hi Guys,
Does anyone ever use this fiddly bit of plastic.

As I found it a chore to fit I've cut a piece of black plastic out of an old tape cassette box which slips snugly into the ouside of the rubber eye cup - much easier to fit and doesn't disrupt the viewfinder diopter slider

I've tried with and without and frankly don't see any difference, I've even tried shining a torch onto the eyepiece during a long exposure to see if that made any justification in taking the trouble to fit it anyway.

Bernard

The eyuep[iece can be shielded by a hand, which works just as well and is even more convenient. Just don't actually touch the camera during a long exposure or shake may result.

Is there any evidence that theeyepiece needs shielding

Bernard

It's simple enough for you to check. Light spilling through the viewfinder can affect exposures and light leak can get to the sensor with long exposures.

Try it and see. There has to be a reason that the viewfinder cap has always been provided with SLR cameras with built in metering.

Hi John
I have tried it (using a torch- probably an overkill) - that's why I started the topic as I couldn't rationalise its use.
I also found it a nuisance to (a) remember to carry it with me, albeit at the bottom of my camera bag, not always carried (b) fiddle with it and the fitting of it in gloomy conditions (c) reset the eyepiece diopter as I invariably manage to move it when removing/fitting the rubber eyecup - I've got fingers like popeye

I agree that there has to be a reason as my Minolta film camera has a similar clip on piece (conveniently attached to the carry strap, but again rarely/never used). But curiously my earlier cameras (a variety) those with metering didn't bother.

I suppose there is a risk that the mirror doesn't flip right up and seal against the felt and/or there is some leakage through the edge of the mirror glass so the manufacturers cover themselves.

regards
Bernard

Well we don't have to guess the reason, it's detailed in the instruction books. In gloomy conditions of course there won't be much light entering the eyepiece anyway. It's bright conditions where the problems arise.

Over in the IR thread here there is plenty of evidence that the eyepiece stray light can mess up a picture.

In that case the reason is the ten-stop difference between the ambient light and the light that comes in through the lens/filter, enough for the tiny amount of light that gets round the mirror to reach the sensor as spurious reflections over a several-second exposure. The same would apply to long exposures using a strong ND filter.

Another reason that is not so obvious is that the metering could be thrown out by the stray light, again more likely if there is a large disparity between the ambient light and the light through the lens.

Its not supplied on the K-x. Only an optional extra.

I discovered this on my OM1 years ago. I seem to remember it only became significant on long exposure pictures.

Place the camera on a firm surface, with the eyepiece facing the light, and take a pic ! Then put your thumb over the eyepiece and take a second one !

1/50th becomes 1/15th at same aperture !! that's what it's for

No, because I shoot in manual or hyper-manual. It is just required in auto exposure modes.

John

A torch puts out a tiny amount of light in real terms. If you don't believe me, use it during an overcast day and you won't even see it.

Sunlight is thousands of times stronger.

One of the reasons I used to shoot in manual with my ME Super was that I used a tripod a great deal, and often the camera was pointing towards the ground. In auto that would result in under-exposed slides unless I shielded the viewfinder so I found it easier to use manual.

The LX doesn't require you to shield the viewfinder because it meters the light off the film.

K.

you still need to cover up, even in Manual mode ! If you're using the metering system to work out the exposure required !!

.

Not in my experience, as I frame the picture and set the exposure looking through the viewfinder.My head blocks any stray light which would affect the exposure and once it is set the stray light makes no difference.

John